Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) strongly recommend COVID-19 vaccination to women who are currently pregnant, have been recently pregnant, and/or are thinking of conceiving.
In a recent survey (at a single institution in MA), only 50% of pregnant patients reported that their obstetric provider recommended the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy.
Based on responses to other vaccine-preventable diseases, we know that antenatal provider advice is a predictor of vaccine uptake.
Potential provider factors for not counseling about the vaccine include a lack of knowledge about data on efficacy and safety in pregnancy, limited time during clinic visits to discuss and provide accurate advice to patients, and logistic barriers for vaccine referral.
The PNQIN solution to overcoming vaccine counseling barriers for providers was to offer counseling materials and training in motivational interviewing.
